Machine for assorting f



(No Model.) V -2"SheetsiShe et 1. W. R. PHILLIPS. MA-GHINB FOR. AS'SORTING 'PRUIT.

No. 376,904.. Patented Jan. 24, 1883,

I WITNESSES NY Pmna Photo-Lithographer. wz-hin n. c

"2 Sheets-Sheet 2.- I

- (No Model.) I

'W. R. PHILLIPS. MACHINE FOR ASSORTING FRUIT;

Patented Jan. 24, 1888.

Wil-

WITNESSES UNI-TED STATES PATENT: OFFICE;

WILLIAM R. PHILLIPS, .OF MILFORD, DELAWARE.

MACH|NE'FOR ASSORTING FRUIT.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettersdatent No. 376,904, dated January 24, 188 8.-

Application filed September 10, 1886. Serial No. 213,230. (No model.)

specification, and in' which- Figure 1 is a side view of my improved machine for assorting fruit. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view on line m, Fig. 2; and Fig. 4. is an end view seen from the receiving end.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My invention has relation to that class of machines for separating and assorting fruitin which the fruit is passed over revolving rollers decreasing in diameter toward the discharge end; and it consists in the improved construction and combination of parts of such a machine, and more particularly of the means for rotating said rollers, as hereinafter more I fullydescribed and claimed. j

. Between the lower edge of the picking-table and thedischarge end of the frame are journaled a seriesof inclined rollers, 5, formed in sections of successively-decreasingdiameters toward the lower ends. These rollers are arranged in pairs, the'upper ends of which en.- gage with each other by means of frictional contact, except the two outside rollers, which revolveindependently. Above each pair of rollers is placed a strip or shield, 6, extending from the lower edge of the table 4 to the discharge end of the frame. 7

J ournaled to the upper end of the frame underneath the picking-table is a large wheel or pulley, 7, which can be operated by hand or other power; A. belt, H, passes over thispulley, around and over one of the outside rollers, and alternately over and under one of the rollers of each pair of rollers, over an idlewheel, 9, secured to the frame above and near to the opposite outside roller, and down upon the inner side of said roller. As thewheel 7 is revolved in the direction indicated by the arrow, motion is communicated to the outside rollers and to the .pairs of rollers in such. a

manner that the rollers not in contact with each other will turn inward toward the open space and downward.

The fruit is pouredonto the receiving end of the table 2, from which it passes downover the grate 8, through which leaves, sticks, and

other impurities will pass.

the fruit passes onto and over the pickingta- 6 5 ble 4, where it is spread out sufficientlyl to enable an attendant to pick out all decayed and From the grate I defective fruit, and also any trash that may havepassed over the grate. Fro1n; t-he;picl

ing-table the fruit passes onto the revolving 7o rollers, the shields or strips 6 throwing'it between the rollers of the different pairs. smaller fruit will pass through the smaller The ' spaces'at the upper end of the rollers, while v the larger fruit will'pass down the succeeding 7 5" p sections until it finds a space large enough to 1 pass through or passes off at the discharge end of the frame. l

Secured to the under side of the frame by means of buttonsll at the ends of inclined 8o troughs or spouts 10 are receiving-sacks 1 2, into which the fruit passes from each of the different-sized spaces between the rollers. As the surfaces of the rollers are smooth,the fruit will not be caught between them and bruised as it is passedthrough, and by having all of them operated by the same band they will turn in unison. j I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- In a fruitassorting machine, the combination of rollers journaled longitudinally therei in, said rollers having sectionsof successivelydecreasing diameters toward one end and ranged in pairs, the upper ends of the rollers .95

of each pair being in frictional contact,a drivepulley and anidle-pulley journaled to one end of said frame, and a band passed over said pulleys and alternately over and underthe end outer rollers, and adapted to bear against the inner face of the opposite outer roller, substantially as described, andfor the purpose setforth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my 'of one of the rollersin each pair and one of the rco I own I have hereunto affixed my signature in :05 1

presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses: LOUIS BAGGER, GEORGE E. FRnoH.

' WILLIAM R. PHILLIPS. 

